9:39 pm

Tue November 2, 2010

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has delivered his victory speech already at the Republican night watch party in Buda. With 2,844 of 8,461 precincts reporting, Dewhurst led his Democratic challenger Linda Chavez-Thompson 64 percent to 33 percent.

From the Dewhurst campaign:

Lt. Governor Dewhurst Wins Re-Election

AUSTIN, TX– Tonight, Republican David Dewhurst released the following statement after winning re-election to a third term as Texas Lt. Governor:

Tue November 2, 2010

Governor Rick Perry was declared a winner around 8:30. And his opponent Bill White delivered his concession speech around 9. But Governor Perry is still a no-show in Buda. The initial plan was for the governor to deliver his victory speech around 10 p.m. after a parade of other GOP winners had their turn in the spotlight. And no one seems to think there's any reason to change the plan.

2010 midterm elections

7:07 pm

Tue November 2, 2010

As the National Republicans continue to watch for a national tsunami (an overused descriptor, I'll limit its use tonight.), Texas Republicans are ready for a pretty rockin' party as well out at the Texas Disposal Systems Exotic Game Ranch near Creedmoor.

Vote Rescue is a non-partisan group urging Travis County to eschew eSlate voting machines in favor of old fashioned, hand-counted, paper ballots. Their main gripe is that the eSlate machines tabulate votes electronically, out of the view of the public eye.

"They are not accurate because the count is done secretly inside of the machine, so there is no way to know if they are [fair]," Vote Rescue's Karen Renick told us last month.

2010 midterm elections

2:55 pm

Tue November 2, 2010

If all goes according to plan, the biggest news stories won't be written until after the polls close at 7 o'clock tonight. But here's some of what's being reported across Texas right now.

Texas Monthly columnist Paul Burka has numbers from a Republican consultant suggesting double digit losses for House Democrats. Nothing shocking to hear that from a GOP operative, but the post is making the rounds today and is worth a glance.

food

1:02 pm

Tue November 2, 2010

A new batch of Saint Arnold's Divine Reserve is hitting store shelves today. The Divine Reserve is a limited edition brew occasionally released by The Houston-based brewer. Some Austin beer enthusiasts are even taking the day off work to ensure they can grab cases of the barley wine.

Austin

12:54 pm

Tue November 2, 2010

The City of Austin has announced the list of finalists for the Chief Animal Services Officer position that's been vacant since May. The finalist chosen for the job will have authority over the city's shelter operations, and will oversee the move from Town Lake Animal Center to the city's new shelter in East Austin.

The finalists will be in Austin on Monday, November 8th for interviews and a public meet-and-greet. The city is wants feedback from the public.

Tue November 2, 2010

Polls across Texas close at 7 p.m. today. Travis County voters can find their polling place here, and check out sample ballots here. If you're outside Travis County, check out your Central Texas county's website below or call them for info on polling locations.

In case you're new to the eSlate voting machines used in Travis County and other parts of Texas, here's an instructional video courtesy of San Mateo County in California. The only big difference is that we don't have the paper backup that they do.

As Austinites head to the polls tomorrow, political campaigns around the county are already handicapping the election, based on turnout for early voting. KUT News spoke with Democratic political consultant Mark Littlefield to learn about his analysis of early voting trends in Travis County.

Mon November 1, 2010

Austin police are dealing with their 30th homicide case of the year. This time last year, there had been 19 recorded murders in Austin.

Someone called police at 10:11 p.m. yesterday to report two men fighting at Pleasant Valley Road and East Riverside Drive. By the time officers arrived, they found a 50-year-old man in the street bleeding from a stab wound. He was rushed to Brackenridge Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police got a description of the alleged attacker from witnesses and arrested him a short while later. Charges are pending.